AFP seizes BIFF camps; 12 bandits killed

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — At least 12 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed while two of their camps were seized in military operations in Maguindanao this week.

Six of the fatalities identified only as Awar, Mantato, Sukarno, Badrudin, Izhak and Guiapar were killed in firefights with personnel of the 6th Infantry Division in Salibo and Saidona towns on Tuesday.

Two soldiers were reportedly injured in the gunfights.

At least 18 guns and 100 kilos of bomb materials and gun parts were recovered from the camps.

The military conducted air strikes yesterday to disrupt the BIFF’s plan to stage attacks, Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, 6th  Civil Military Operations commander, said.

“The military wanted to send a message to the militants... to surrender or fight and be killed,” Besana said.

More than 40 BIFF bandits, led by Abu Toraife, Bongos and Karialan, have been killed in military operations since last month.

As this developed, four alleged BIFF bomb experts identified only as Ahmed, Malik, Nazzer and Muktar surrendered to the military.

The operation against BIFF men started on Monday after villagers reported the convergence of more than 100 bandits for a traditional kanduli or thanksgiving rite.

Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police director, said the Maguindanao police deployed plainclothes police officers in Salibo and Saidona to guard against possible retaliatory attacks by the BIFF.– With Reuters